An Iraqi taxi driver told a court how he was beaten unconscious by a group of British soldiers.

The seven servicemen, who are also accused of murdering an 18-year-old man in the same attack, listened to their alleged assault victim as he gave evidence at their court martial in the UK.

Athar Finnijan Saddam was carrying several passengers towards the village of Farakah, near Al U'Zayra in southern Iraq, when the alleged attack took place in May 2003 - three weeks after formal hostilities had ended.

Giving evidence, he told the military court in Colchester, Essex, that he tried to show the soldiers his car registration but was dragged from his vehicle.

He told the court that he was struck with rifle butts, helmets, fists and feet during the attack.